Im a long-time, heavy-duty, classical-music audiophile with a large classical CD collection (over 2,000 classical CDs), including multiple versions of all the warhorses on your list. Here are my recommendations for your choices, based on a balanced consideration of excellent performance and excellent sound.
1. Chabrier, Espagna. Dutoit, Montreal, Decca/London.
2. Bizet, Carmen Suites. Dutoit, Montreal, Decca/London.
3. Elgar, Enigma Variations. Andrew Davis, BBC, Teldec. A stunning recording, engineered by the great Tony Faulkner. May be hard to find, but well worth seeking out.
4. Britten, Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra. The famous conductor-led performance on Decca/London is very fine but is not captured in the very best sound, even for its day. The Andrew Davis, BBC version on Teldec is terrific, engineered by the great Tony Faulkner. Again, it might be hard to find, but its well worth the search. My second choice is Previn, Royal Philharmonic, Telarc. Both of these have much better sound than the Britten-led performance.
5. Bernstein, Candide Suite. No recommendation.
6. Orff, Carmina Burana. Three good choices: Blomstedt, San Francisco, Decca/London (Grammy winner). Slatkin, St. Louis, RCA. Dutoit, Montreal, Decca/London. All three of these have excellent sound.
Happy listening.
1. Chabrier, Espagna. Dutoit, Montreal, Decca/London.
2. Bizet, Carmen Suites. Dutoit, Montreal, Decca/London.
3. Elgar, Enigma Variations. Andrew Davis, BBC, Teldec. A stunning recording, engineered by the great Tony Faulkner. May be hard to find, but well worth seeking out.
4. Britten, Young Persons Guide to the Orchestra. The famous conductor-led performance on Decca/London is very fine but is not captured in the very best sound, even for its day. The Andrew Davis, BBC version on Teldec is terrific, engineered by the great Tony Faulkner. Again, it might be hard to find, but its well worth the search. My second choice is Previn, Royal Philharmonic, Telarc. Both of these have much better sound than the Britten-led performance.
5. Bernstein, Candide Suite. No recommendation.
6. Orff, Carmina Burana. Three good choices: Blomstedt, San Francisco, Decca/London (Grammy winner). Slatkin, St. Louis, RCA. Dutoit, Montreal, Decca/London. All three of these have excellent sound.
Happy listening.